FEI Classics™: Jock Paget Heads the Chasing Pack at Burghley

FEI Classics™: Jock Paget Heads the Chasing Pack at Burghley

Friday, September 5, 2014

Jock Paget (NZL) and Clifton Promise produce a superb test to take the lead after Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

New Zealander Jock Paget is top of a closely bunched group of riders after the Dressage phase at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), the climax of the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014.

Paget and Clifton Promise earned the excellent score of 38.8 for a fluent, well-executed performance but only two penalties covers the top six riders, four of whom are Antipodeans, and the atmosphere is one of excited anticipation ahead of tomorrow’s Cross Country test.

“He was sensational,” said Paget appreciatively of the 16-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred Clifton Promise. “He is so professional, this horse, and he knows his job so well. He gave me everything, like he always does.”

The pair were third after Dressage at last week’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, but after they had an early run-out on the Cross Country, Paget made the swift decision to pull up and re-route to Burghley because his team had already been eliminated.

FEI Classics™ leader William Fox-Pitt, a team silver and individual bronze medallist last week, was the only other rider to break the 40-penalty barrier and is in second place on 39.5 on his Kentucky winner, Bay My Hero.

Fox-Pitt’s main worry had been how to contain the exuberant bay gelding who stood on his hind legs at the first horse inspection and is, according to his rider, “good at getting loose”.

Fox-Pitt was quick to credit the team at home – where his wife, Alice, is due to give birth to their fourth child at any moment – and also British team trainer Tracie Robinson. “He’s gone from a score of 44 in Kentucky into the 30s – it’s great to break the 40 barrier. He hasn’t met an atmosphere like this too many times, but he’s a bit of a show-off.”

Badminton winner Sam Griffiths (AUS), the first-day Dressage leader, was pleasantly surprised to be still so near the head of affairs. He is in third place with a score of 40.2 on Happy Times, a horse he has ridden since a five-year-old and one of the most consistent CCI4* horses of all time.

The crowd-pleasing grey, the only horse ever to win Burghley back-to-back, was awarded 40.5 from judges Angela Tucker (GBR, President), Christian Landolt (SUI) and Ernst Topp (GER). He looked in perfect balance and outline, gaining a nine from Landolt for the extended canter and only losing marks for the final flying changes.

“He is a special horse, part of the family,” said a delighted Nicholson. “He knows where he is and that he’s not just here for a look around. It’s a lovely arena here; the crowd are far away enough not to be cramped but near enough to create atmosphere.”

A field of 64 will tackle Capt. Mark Phillips’s Cross Country tomorrow, after one horse – Shane Rose’s (AUS) CP Qualified –failed the first horse inspection.

At first glance, the track appears to look very like last year’s but, says Nicholson, the changes are subtle. “There are enough new lines to make a difference. The going is superb but you will need more finesse than last year. You’ve got to ride positively, but remember that some of the lines are tighter.”

Fox-Pitt agreed that the Course Designer has been clever. “I’m very happy not to have to come off that horrible step at the Leaf Pit this time, but the middle part of the course – the Trout Hatchery, Maltings and Dairy Mound – are intense and will take some riding.”

Riders predict that the optimum time will be achievable because the footing is superb although, said Paget: “You can never respect Burghley cross-country enough. The time is tight, there are plenty of hills and the jumps are big, so there is plenty to deal with. You just have to get your head in the right place and focus on every fence as you jump it, and then hopefully you have a good day.”